JP/6/OTH

The European Union's response to steel tariffs

The European Union is unhappy about tariffs President Bush imposed upon foreign steel. The EU, a multinational bully, plans to impose US$2.2 million in retaliatory duties on U.S. goods sold to its members.

Well, the only way to deal with this bully -- and all bullies -- is to confront it. The EU's plan would target items ranging from footwear to fruit and vegetables. The goal would be to price such items out of the global market.

Well, we say: Let's rumble.

The United States may not rule the steel industry as it once did, but it remains the undisputed food producing heavyweight of the world.

If the EU imposes retaliatory duties, the United States should close its agricultural door. And when hungry nations come calling, the Bush Administration should offer steel and food as package deals or, even better, just say "no" and offer up the EU's telephone number.

The European Union has drawn a line in the sand. At the very least, the Bush Administration should maintain the tariffs as the domestic steel industry reinvents itself. At best, America should cross that line and economically knock the bully flat on its "Eurocan."

-- The Valley Independent, Monessen, Pennsylvania